The 13th Annual Watsonville Film Festival (WFF) will present 11 programs featuring more than 50 films in four cities highlighting the joys, challenges and contributions of artists, immigrants, and families of Mexican and Latin American heritage.
“WFF is proud to present a bold and captivating program of short and feature films that defy stereotypes and dive deeply into the complexities of the Latine experience,” says WFF Director Consuelo Alba. “At a time when hard-working communities like ours are under attack, the Watsonville Film Festival provides sanctuary from that storm. WFF offers a way to watch powerful, funny and uplifting films together on the big screen. Farmworkers, activists, cooks, caregivers, students, artists and musicians – we all have important stories to share.”
The Watsonville Film Festival celebrates amazing filmmakers and unheard voices that dive deep into the richness of the Latine and immigrant experiences and contributions. The community is invited to enjoy unique storytelling and the opportunity to engage with filmmakers in a fun and friendly environment. Check out the complete film program and after-parties at https://2025wff.eventive.org/welcome
The majority of the filmmakers will attend their screenings for post-screening conversations. WFF will also host a Filmmakers Summit with experts in the film industry from LA, the Bay, the Central Coast and Valley on Sat. March 8.
Highlights of WFF2025 include:
Thu. March 6: Opening Night features a selection of powerful short films, including two California premieres: The Long Valley, a cinematic love letter to Salinas Valley, which recently screened at Sundance and SXSW Film Festivals and They Call Me Cross Man, produced by American Book Award-winning author and UCSC alum Reyna Grande
Fri. March 7, 5PM: The Festival will present two programs featuring a wide-range of locally made shorts: Emerging Cinema and Creative Joy. The films range from the personal to the political – while shining a lens on community joy and resilience. Emerging Cinema features the documentary film Mariachi Gringo, about the late local harpist William Faulkner. Uno y Medio Contra El Mundo, an immigration drama directed by teenager Jacob Estrada, features Mariachi Ilusión de Watsonville.
Fri. March 7, 7:30PM: The Creative Joy program includes Fake it Until You Make It, directed by Watsonville-based award-winning filmmaker Eugenia Rentería, The Custodian by Santa Cruz director Amaris Pueyes Méndez, and the dramedy Me Porto Bonita by Sacramento director Cecilia Romo. The program includes two WFF Cine Se Puede Fellows, including Hector Aguila, director of 916.
Sat. March 8, 11AM: Youth Voices. WFF is committed to supporting a school-to-industry film production pipeline in our region. This free program, co-presented by PVUSD-VAPA, showcases the depth and imagination of today’s young filmmakers, on the road to becoming tomorrow’s professionals. ¡Sí se puede!
Sat. March 8, 1:30PM: If I Could Stay / Si Pudiera Quedarme, a powerful and timely documentary film about two undocumented mothers who seek church sanctuary to avoid deportation and separation from their children. Post-film conversation with filmmakers Theo Rigby & Florencia Krochik.
Sat. March 8, 4PM: Our World / Nuestro Mundo is a shorts documentary program featuring diverse and compelling stories from near and far. Jerhy, an ode to an indigenous river protector in Costa Rica, was shortlisted for a student Academy Award. Swimming Lessons features UCSC film student Meloddy Gao reconnecting with her Chinese roots, and The Vanishing Japantown features Mas and Marcia Hashimoto reminiscing on the loss of Watsonville’s last Japanese market.
Sat. March 8, 6:30PM: 40th Anniversary of the 1985 Watsonville Cannery Strike
In commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of this historic movement in labor history, WFF presents a special program featuring the 1989 documentary Watsonville On Strike, which details the 18-month long, women-led strike that shook Watsonville to the core and changed the course of its history. Also included is the premiere of Daughters of the Strike, a short doc on the long-term impact of the strike. Both films are by local filmmaker Jon Silver. Celebrate International Women’s Day by honoring these powerful women and their families!
Sun. March 9, 1PM: WFF will host two film programs at 418 Project in Santa Cruz. Don’t miss the Central Coast premiere of Prodigal Daughter! The film details the twists and turns in the life of Peruvian punk/activist/artist/filmmaker Mabel Valdiviezo as she navigates her life in exile in the US and her attempts at reconciliation with family in Lima.
Sun. March 9, 4PM: WFF Shorts in Santa Cruz: Enjoy a mix of short films that represent the spirit of the Watsonville Film Festival, followed by a get-together in the 418 Project lobby! Film highlights include the charming silent film Eternidad by WFF Cine Se Puede Fellow Ignacio Muñoz, Cristal Gonzalez Avila’s heartfelt The Color of Sky, the ag-based sci-fi The Ballad of Tita and the Machines, and and El Paisa, a story of love and personal transformation on the streets of L.A.
Fri. March 14, 6PM: WFF Shorts in Salinas: Enjoy a mix of short films that represent the spirit of the Watsonville Film Festival at Maya Cinemas, followed by an after-party at XL Public House! Film highlights include The Long Valley, a cinematic love letter to Salinas; Dear Watsonville, an animated film inspired by the experiences of the local Filipino community; Fighting to Breathe, a documentary film about young activities in Greenfield; and Jigsaw, Goodbye Friend and The Lost Alien featuring Salinas talent behind and in front of the camera.
Tue. March 25, 5PM: Leading Change / Líderes del Cambio presents a selection of films created by local filmmakers and youth changemakers to raise awareness about the use of harmful pesticides in our communities. This special Food and Film Showcase is presented in collaboration with the Cabrillo College Horticulture Department. The Farm 2 Food team from Esperanza Community Farms will be offering fresh organic salads to audience members.
Festival screenings will take place at the following locations:
CineLux Green Valley Cinema in Watsonville from March 6-8.
418 Project in Santa Cruz on Sunday, March 9.
Maya Cinemas in Salinas on Friday, March 14.
Cabrillo College Horticulture Center on Tuesday, March 25.
Buena Vista Brewing in Watsonville will host the Festival after-parties featuring local bands & DJs March 6-8. After-party in Salinas will be at XL Public House.
Note that films not in English will have English subtitles.
For a full line-up of films and ticket information: https://2025wff.eventive.org/schedule
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors for making the 13th Annual Watsonville Film Festival possible.
